That's not necessarily a bad thing. Literary classics such as Homer's Iliad and Odyssey, William Shakespeare's Henry V and Richard III, and Robert Penn Warren's All the King's Men were all based on true stories.

On the other hand, so is O.J. Simpson's search for the real killer. And Republican gubernatorial candidate Les Otten's successful-businessman shtick. And most TV news.

Many of Democratic Governor John Baldacci's answers to reporters' questions are also derived from some remote, semi-factual starting point. Take for example Baldacci's response to the New Brunswick Telegraph-Journal as to how he expects the purchase of the largest power company in New Brunswick by Hydro Quebec will affect Maine electricity customers:

"We think that if we can work together, and particular to the sale, as long as the people of Maine realize long-term tangible benefits and no negative effects, we believe this is a positive step forward."

Translation from the Canadian (or whatever language the governor was trying to speak): I have no clue. It might save us money. It might cause swine flu. I won't find out until after it happens.

The campaigns both for and against the tax-reform measure that will be on the June ballot are also based on true stories. They're just not the same story.

Democrats, who mostly support the reform plan, say it's revenue-neutral, but will lower the overall tax burden for most Mainers because it'll broaden the tax base and collect more revenue from tourists.

This is true. Or it was true when the bill was passed last year. Now, well, not so much.

The tax plan would reduce the income tax from a top rate of 8.5 percent to a flat rate of 6.5 percent for those making less than $250,000 a year and to 6.85 percent for those making more. It replaces most deductions and exemptions with credits that are supposed to be a better deal for 95 percent of taxpayers.

The Dems are telling the truth when they say that if their plan prevails at the polls, you'll see an immediate increase in the size of your paycheck. There is, however, a however.

The reform bill also expands the sales tax to dozens of items that were previously tax-exempt. You'll pay an extra 5 percent to get your poodle's nails clipped, your car's transmission repaired, or to buy a ticket to any film that claims to be "based on a true story." And any flick that doesn't, too.

Backers of tax reform have always been careful in public to claim the amount generated by the extra sales tax would equal the amount saved by the reduced income tax. But privately, many of them acknowledge that won't be so. If the measure survives the people's veto vote, they expect the next Legislature to increase the number of categories covered by the sales tax, thereby bringing in new dollars to restore state spending that's been forcibly cut by the recession.

Which brings us to the true story on which opponents of tax reform, most of them Republicans, are basing their campaign:

An Obama confidant on the surge in Afghanistan Twenty-four hours before President Barack Obama announced a 30,000-troop escalation of the Afghan War, one of his key foreign policy advisors provided a view of the president’s thinking at Brown University.

Instead of cuts: guts Let’s assume, reader, that you’re concerned about economic and social justice. For those in real need — people who are poor, sick, old, mentally ill, addicted, disabled — you want decent care. You’re concerned, too, about proper funding of schools, community colleges, and university campuses.

Ready to rumble Last summer, the upcoming race that got most Bay State politicos salivating was the run for governor.

Bay State's top lobbyists Nearly everyone in Massachusetts felt the pinch of the recession in 2009 — even Beacon Hill lobbyists had to tighten their belts.

The Cultural Caucus's big gamble The recently formed Cultural Caucus, a loose, formal coalition comprising a dozen arts-friendly state legislators, appears poised to christen its political life by inserting itself into what could be the most intense statewide political battle of the spring legislative session: the move to allow casino gambling in Massachusetts.

Tanked The term "think tank" looks as if it signifies something impressive.

'Tea' is for terrorism A year ago, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) produced a memo outlining the growing threat posed to this country from right-wing extremists. It compared the situation to that of the early 1990s — which culminated in the 1995 bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Building in Oklahoma City, killing 168.

Boston tucks away a $125 million windfall As debate continues over the city’s finances — and whether the city of Boston can afford firefighters’ raises, branch libraries, community-center staffing, and other costs in tight times — the city is planning to quietly tuck away a one-time windfall of more than $125 million.

SMILING FACES | November 03, 2014 In an attempt to ease the state’s severe cognitive-dissonance shortage, the arbiters of good taste have spent this election season beseeching candidates to practice both civility and sincerity.

REASON HIDDEN | October 24, 2014 Late last year, Michaud publicly acknowledged his homosexuality. The experts were quick to claim it wouldn’t be a big factor in the gubernatorial race.

SOMETHING BORROWED, SOMETHING BLUE | October 16, 2014 Want to save the taxpayers of Maine over $60 million? It’s so simple even somebody with no political skills at all can do it.